Form 1 Design for Accessibility Needs Assessment Survey

Design for Accessibility Needs Assessment Survey
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently awarded a new Cooperative Agreement
for Design for Accessibility to the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD). This cultural
accessibility initiative, jointly sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will develop a comprehensive online technical
assistance resource including legal requirements and guidance as well as information about
local and national resources and precedents. IHCD will work closely with the NEA's Office of
Accessibility's director, Beth Bienvenu, Ph.D.
Right from the start, we want to hear from you. We want to learn what type of information
and resources would be most valuable to you. This is an opportunity to create a dynamic new
resource that will ensure that the stunningly diverse US cultural community meets its civil rights
responsibilities to people with disabilities while making more welcoming and satisfying
experiences for all.
The time required to provide responses to the survey questions is estimated to be
approximately 20 minutes. Your participation is voluntary. You will not receive any
compensation for responding to the survey. You may decline to answer any questions you wish.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection
of information unless such collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
control number. The OMB control number for this survey is OMB No. 3135-0130 (expires
4/25/2014).

www.HumanCenteredDesign.org • 200 Portland Street, Boston MA 02114 • 617.695.1225 v/tty
Design for Accessibility is a Project of the Institute for Human Centered Design and is Supported by:

Questionnaire for US Cultural Administrators
to Assess Needs for Accessibility and Universal Design Guidance
Please note that your responses are anonymous. However, if you would like to self-identify or
would prefer to answer the questionnaire in a telephone interview, please provide your contact
information at the end of the questionnaire.
1. What type of organization do you work for? Responses can include: museum (specify type),
gallery, presenting organization, performing organization, literary organization, media,
library, university, other:
Your title:
2. How many paid staff members are in your organization?
3. Do you have a staff position(s) responsible for ensuring accessibility of your facility and/or
programs? If so, what percentage of their time is dedicated to this function? 0-25%____
26-50%____, 51-75%____, 76-100%____. Is this a volunteer or paid position?
4. How would you rate how well your organizational practices achieve equal participation for
older adults and people with disabilities?
1 (poor) 2 3 4 5 (strong)
5. How would you rate your organization's current physical accessibility for older adults and
people with disabilities? 1 (poor) 2 3 4 5 (strong)
6. Does your staff typically receive regular training on federal requirements under Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other laws and guidelines
pertaining to accessibility? ___Yes ___No If so, what format does it take?
(Check all that apply)
___ Workshops
___ Conferences
___ Online Training
___ Consulting
___ Other:_______________________
www.HumanCenteredDesign.org • 200 Portland Street, Boston MA 02114 • 617.695.1225 v/tty
Design for Accessibility is a Project of the Institute for Human Centered Design and is Supported by:

7. Where do you turn most often for accessibility resources and assistance?
(check all that apply)
___ Local disability organizations
___ National disability service organizations
___ Regional ADA Centers
___ Online resources
___ State or Local Arts Organizations
___ Other:_______________________
8. Is your website accessible for people with disabilities?
___ Yes
___ Somewhat
___ I’m not sure
___ No
9. Are your multi-media offerings (videos, podcasts, apps, multi-media presentations)
accessible to people with sensory limitations (sight, hearing, speech, touch)?
___ Yes
___ Somewhat
___ I’m not sure
___ No
10. What are your biggest challenges for meeting the goal of equal opportunity and
experience for older adults and people with disabilities? Please rate low, medium, or high
on all that apply:
____Lack of understanding about how to make progress toward compliance and inclusion
____Lack of guidance regarding best practices and procedures
____Insufficient financial resources
____Lack of staff/leadership awareness of the needs of people with disabilities/older adults
and the legal requirements
____Lack of prioritization of accessibility by leadership
____Lack of information on how to market to specific communities

www.HumanCenteredDesign.org • 200 Portland Street, Boston MA 02114 • 617.695.1225 v/tty
Design for Accessibility is a Project of the Institute for Human Centered Design and is Supported by:

11. An organization's accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities (visitors/audience
members/volunteers/staff/presenters/artists) will vary. When considering accessibility in
your programs and facilities, please rate your needs for more specific information and
resources about making your facilities and programs accessible—low, medium, or high—on
all that apply:
____Physical limitation (people with mobility, dexterity, strength, stamina limitations)
____Sensory limitations (people with sight, hearing, speech, touch limitations)
____Brain-based limitations (people with learning, developmental, mental health, cognitive
limitations)
____Older people who may have systemic changes in functional abilities as the result of age
12. How would you rate your knowledge about accessibility requirements for your facilities—or
facilities that you lease—as it pertains to existing building and grounds, major renovation
projects, or new construction? 1 (poor) 2 3 4 5 (strong)
13. How would you rate your knowledge about the accessibility requirements for programs,
services, and activities? 1 (poor) 2 3 4 5 (strong)
14. What features would you most like to see in a new web resource— [select up to three (3)]
___ Easy navigation
___ In-depth profiles of best practices
___ Links to resources
___ Contact information for resources
___ Research studies and reports
___ Information about program accessibility
___ Information about physical accessibility (buildings, grounds, exhibits)
___ Information about creating a welcoming experience for people with specific types of
limitations

www.HumanCenteredDesign.org • 200 Portland Street, Boston MA 02114 • 617.695.1225 v/tty
Design for Accessibility is a Project of the Institute for Human Centered Design and is Supported by:

Please note that your responses are anonymous. However, if you would like to self-identify or
would prefer to answer the questionnaire in a telephone interview, please provide your contact
information. Would you like to receive a follow-up phone call? ___Yes ___No
Optional Contact Information
Name (First, Last)_________________________________________________________
Email Address:___________________________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________________________________

www.HumanCenteredDesign.org • 200 Portland Street, Boston MA 02114 • 617.695.1225 v/tty
Design for Accessibility is a Project of the Institute for Human Centered Design and is Supported by: